AI-driven datacenter energy needs are causing a shortage of gas turbines to power generators, with some operators reportedly turning to old aircraft engines instead.
The rising demand for compute to feed the current AI development craze has seen datacenters adding capacity and new ones popping up, with a knock-on effect on the electricity supply.
As The Register reported recently, US bit barns are set to consume 22 percent more grid power by the end of 2025 than the same time last year. But in many regions the energy grid can’t keep pace with connection requests, leading operators to turn to on-site generation of their own power, as advised by Schneider Electric last year.
But one thing leads to another, and now it seems that gas turbine manufacturers can’t meet the sudden rise in demand, particularly in the US where there are more datacenters than anywhere else, leading to a shortage in some markets.
That should be nice and quiet.
We have fan spin
I was afraid these would burn more fossil fuels and pollute more carbon dioxide and other toxic combustion byproducts into the atmosphere, so I was pleased to learn they actually burn sunlight and emit rainbows. At least that’s what ChatGPT told me. /s
They got electrolytes.
It’s what the plants crave.
Fun fact: The only reason jet engines need fuel is the nacelles block out sunlight. It’s inefficient, but it gets the job done.
Good news for Boeing
In what way? They’ve never manufactured engines for commercial jets, and regardless, they’d see no profit on the sale of used engines.
